Visit to Shoja - 1956
Shoja
My another trip in Himachal Pradesh was from Shoja to Kalpa and further downwards to Sangla.
Shoja was not too far from Banjar. Shoja’s beauty was filled with rich valleys and fascinating view of snow covered peaks to see and enjoy.
We stayed in Shoja at a hotel where we had to walk down the steps. The hotel office was right at the top. We were seven of us - we were allotted rooms the same way. Each family was allotted rooms - one below the other at three levels.
Every time one wants to go out you have to climb several steps. This was steep and strenuous.
On the first day we relaxed and watched the star filled sky. Next day after breakfast we walked up. And went for an nature walk and bird watching along a road in a jungle. There was nothing much to be seen but it was safe and we walked leisurely.
Next day we three of us decided to relax. Our friends decided to go to lake Serolsar lake.
Sarahan
It is situated in the district of Himachal Pradesh in Sutlej valley. Sarahan, a hidden gem nestled in the Himachal Pradesh, beckons travelers with its serene beauty and spiritual significance. It is a gateway to the Kinnaur valley and further to the mighty Spiti valley.
This quaint village was once the summer capital of the rulers of the Bushahr kingdom. It is where mountain meets serenity.
Misty mountains, ancient temples, and unforgettable Himalayan views. Welcome to Sarahan, one of Himachal Pradesh's most beautiful hidden treasures. Sarahan sits on the main mountain route leading into the Kinnaur region, earning it the popular title of the "Gateway to Kinnaur".
A sacred pilgrimage site
It is famous for the ancient Bhimakali Temple. An 800-year-old pilgrimage site and one of the 51 Shakti Pithas, featuring a unique blend of timber and stone architecture designed to withstand earthquakes.
The village is renowned for the Bhimakali Temple, dedicated to the goddess Bhimakali, the presiding deity of the former Bushahr state. The Bhimakali Temple traces its origins back 800 years, making it a repository of centuries-old traditions and spiritual fervour.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga, affectionately known as Bhimakali by the locals. Among the 51 sacred Shakti peethas scattered across the Indian subcontinent, the Bhimakali Temple holds a special place. Devotees believe that the temple houses a fragment of the divine feminine energy, making it a powerful pilgrimage site.
The temple’s architecture is a blend of Himachali and Indo-Tibetan styles. Its intricate woodwork, adorned with mythical motifs and celestial beings, captivates visitors. The exterior, embellished with ornate carvings, reflects the devotion poured into its construction.
Sarahan, a hidden gem nestled in the Kinnaur Valley of Himachal Pradesh, beckons travelers with its serene beauty and spiritual significance. It is a gateway to the Kinnaur valley and further to the mighty Spiti valley.
Sangla
Sanglais is a town in Basra valley, in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, close to border of Tibet. Sangla sits at a lower elevation about 2,680 meters in the Sangla valley .
Chitkul sits higher up at about 3459 meters and is about 1 - hour drive past Sangla.
Batseri is a scenic, offbeat village located in the Sangla (Baspa) Valley of the Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Key Highlights of Batseri Village situated on the left bank of the Baspa River, roughly 7 kilometers before Sangla town as you head toward Chitkul.
Architecture: Famous for its traditional Kath-Kuni style architecture—flat-roofed wooden houses featuring intricate carvings and stone-paved narrow lanes.
Kalpa
Kalpa is a scenic heritage village located at an altitude of 2,759 meters in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh . The snow capped peaks provide a dramatic backdrop, glowing gold and crimson during sunrise. Hindu and Buddhist legends consider the mass winter home of Lord Shiva.
Kalpa is famous for its stunning views of the sacred Inner Kailash mountain range and its towering 79 foot rock pillar that changes colour throughout the day.
It sits above the town of Reckong Peo in the Sutlej river valley and offers stunning views of the Kinner Kailash mountain range. The Baspa River originates near the Indo-Tibetan border in the Baspa Hills and is fed by the perennial Chung Sakhago Glacier near the Chung Sakhago Pass in the Himalayas.
Baspa River is a river flowing through the Indian Himalayas in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It rises near the Indo-Tibetan border and forms the scenic Baspa Valley before flowing into the Sutlej River from the left bank near Karcham, where the Karcham Wangtoo Hydroelectric Plant is located on it.
Rich heritage heritage and Architecture - Traditional wooden Kinnauri houses with slate roofs line the narrow lanes .
Historical Significance: Once the former headquarters of the Kinnaur district, Kalpa grew as a major stop along the ancient Hindustan-Tibet trade route.
The breathtaking view of Kinner Kailash from Kalpa, Dominating the skyline from Kalpa is the sacred Kinner Kailash peak. Standing tall at approximately 6,050 meters (19,819 feet), it holds immense religious significance for Hindus and Buddhists alike.
Chitkul: Known as the last inhabited village near the Indo-Tibetan border, famous for its wooden houses and scenic meadows along the Baspa River. People visit there and take photos of the local school.
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